Colombia striker Hugo Rodallega pounced on a rebound from Jason Koumas' shot to stab home in the 55th minute - just over 24 hours after landing back in England after a trans-Atlantic flight.

It ended a run of three successive Barclays Premier League defeats which followed Wigan's surprise opening-day victory at Aston Villa.

Martinez brought in six players and moved on three this summer after taking over from former manager Steve Bruce in June, and with none of the new arrivals having Premier League experience he knew it would take a while for things to settle down.

The Latics were unfortunate to lose to Wolves and Everton but yesterday's win over the Hammers was psychologically important, especially with a trip to Arsenal next week and a visit from Chelsea the following weekend.

"There were phases of good play with the team gelling together," said the Spaniard after his side moved up to 10th.

"Slowly we are growing, slowly we are getting into that dynamic that everyone is starting to be involved in the dressing room and starting to play as a team and that is a huge sign.

"We are still growing and getting better and hopefully we will carry on improving our level of performance.

"Yesterday was a complete performance, although it was not an outstanding performance in any department.

"There are little partnerships on the pitch which are starting to grow and the communication links are important.

"I think we are still in that period where we need to look behind results.

"Results affect the outside too much: if you win everything is fine and if you lose everything is wrong.

"There are aspects of yesterday we need to correct but we have to be very pleased."

Midfielder playmaker Jordi Gomez had some experience of English football, having spent last season on loan at Championship side Swansea before moving to the DW Stadium from Espanyol, but he admitted it had taken a while to settle in the top flight.

"The new players need a bit of time to adapt to a new team but step-by-step we are improving," Gomez said.

"I am enjoying my time at Wigan but I know I have to work hard.

"We have a great team with great players and it is difficult to get into the starting XI so all the players have to work hard to get in."

Martinez has continually assured the players his methods, which has seen a transition from the more pragmatic approach of Bruce, will ultimately succeed.

But he has stressed to them for that to happen they have to put the work in on and off the field and the Spaniard saw signs of that yesterday.

"It is unfair to single someone out because everyone did what was required to win the game in certain spells of the 90 minutes," he added.

"That is the pleasing thing - we looked like a team.

"The attitude of the players was fantastic and the concentration was right throughout the game.

"The only way we can be successful is to be all together during the disappointments and the good times.

"They showed they are ready for the challenge."

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola had fewer positives with his side short of goals, having scored three times in four Premier League matches.

Carlton Cole looked low on confidence but 20-year-old strike partner Zavon Hines, on his maiden league start, appeared a lively prospect.

"He did very well. The boy was alive, he played a very good match and I was pleased with him," said Zola.

New signing Alessandro Diamanti, brought in from Livorno late last month, came off the bench for his debut and impressed in a 27-minute spell.

He went close with a free-kick and hit the post with a cross-shot which left goalkeeper Chris Kirkland stranded.

"Diamanti has got quality and he will be a good asset for us," added Zola.

"He just needs some time to get up to the Premier League pace, which is very much different to the one in Italy.

"He has got some important qualities and had an impact on yesterday's game.

"Diamanti will improve but he is a player who can give us something different."